Page 149 of Wrath of the Fae Queen
Cyprien leans back in his seat, folding his arms behind his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “There is no need to cancel the orgies at the end of the pilgrimage. One could say it wouldbe a spiritual enlightenment where a fae would almost meet the gods.”
He says this just as I take another sip, and I splutter my wine back into my cup, laughing hard. I elbow him in the ribs. “It would definitely bring in tree nymphs wanting to plow new grounds.”
“And reacquaint high and low fae in a climactic way.” Cyprien wipes tears from his face.
Klara scowls, but I swear she does it to hide her own amusement. “The two of you are as childish as my husband.” She stops and looks thoughtful. “Though it would help heal the landsafterwe defeat the corruption. They are an essential ceremony in nymph reproduction, and all the magical…spill-off helps to make the ground more fertile.”
“What are you all laughing about?” Keira’s voice has me turning to her, the rest of her family watching but clearly not catching on to our discussion.
I run a hand across my face and try not to break out into hysterics. I doubt those from the human realm are aware of the wildest parts of our culture and I really don’t feel like being the fae to explain it to them. “A pilgrimage…of sorts. To incentivize high fae to witness the corruption.”
Keira gets drawn back into conversation with her family.
“So, sex parties to get fae just to look at the borderlands. How are you going to convince them to move out into the wilds, Aldrin?” Cyprien taps his fingers on the table as he thinks.
I open my mouth to speak, but Keira’s voice cuts through my thoughts down the bond.Sex parties?she damn near screeches, but I can sense the curiosity curling underneath it.
Something you’d be interested in?I tease.
What? I…is that a normal occurrence around here?
You have no idea.
I become lost in Keira’s hazel eyes for a moment, wide like a startled doe’s and molten as her mind gets away from her, trying to imagine the logistics of such a thing. I let out a low chuckle, running my hand up her thigh.
“That is going to be quite the challenge,” Klara says, drawing back my attention. “The fae of this city allowed Titania to exploit, suppress and blindside them all for the simple promise of maintaining their way of life. High fae have come to value the comforts and luxuries of living in the city above all else.”
“Aldrin has a brilliant plan for that.” Keira beams as she looks at me.
“Ourplan. Keira contributed to it as much as I did.”
I take a deep breath, because this is the first time I will be airing it with anyone other than my queen. “I cannot force the people to do anything they don’t agree with, or there will be more riots on our hands. If the high fae love the lifestyle of living in a city, then we will build more smaller cities and luxury towns across the court. They will have access to the bars, nightlife, markets and communities that they are used to.”
I swallow hard, then keep speaking. “We will connect them with major highways to what is left of our portals, so travel and transport of goods becomes easier. They will still have access to human chocolate, Winter technology and Summer sweet wines, even in the most remote parts of our lands. All of the delicacies and commodities they have become addicted to will still be at their fingertips. There will be new business opportunities and cash bonuses for any who make the move.”
Klara nods while Cyprien’s eyebrows rise higher and higher on his forehead.
“One thing Iwillforce on the high fae is thatallmust pay the tithe,” I say. “A portion of their magic, whether it is directly back into the lands by those who relocate, or into plinths by those who remain. This was an oath our forebearers made to the godswhen they created us, and it has been forgotten along the way. We high fae need to care for this realm again, as is our duty and the reason we were gifted so much power.”
“And how do you plan to fund this?” Cyprien asks.
“Do you remember all that wealth Titania hoarded for herself? How she drained it out of the court and stole it from any fae she killed?” A wicked smile splits Keira’s lips. “Well, it is ours now. It is shocking to realize just how much she took, considering how hungry she was for more.”
“Not to mention that we will be confiscating the estates of her most loyal supporters,” I muse. “I suspect there will be a lot of private investment in such a venture as well. There is always money to be made in expansion.”
“And what about these diplomatic missions to the other courts?” Klara asks for the hundredth time.
I hold up my hands. “I am not going to start another war by muscling in on their way of life.”
“We are simply testing the waters in each court,” Keira says. “Gently opening the discussion and seeing if they too are affected by the corruption or if they deny it. The official purpose is to inform them of a change in leadership in the Spring Court. The best way to influence them into joining the fight, and using Aldrin’s ideas to combat it, is to succeed at it here. People always want to copy success. We won’t pressure them until we prove our theories and thrive in a position of strength.”
Cyprien nods distractedly, but his attention has been drawn away. He gazes to the other side of the room, where Sasha sits at the end of the banquet table.
Outwardly she looks radiant.
Paints have been applied to her skin to accentuate her natural beauty, her hair has been styled with light oils so it shines, and her gown drips with jewels. But the evidence is there that she came close to death in a golden cage alongside my mate.She jumps each time someone speaks too loudly and there is a distressed tightness around her eyes.
All three of Sasha’s orc bodyguards are seated around her protectively, practically radiating aggression.
